Part 30 (2/2)
When at last he asked the blessing, and the ranks had knelt in the stubble, Elsin and I on our knees breathed the Amen, lifted our sun-dazzled eyes, and rose together to mount and ride back through the dust to the Blue Fox, where we were to confer concerning the long-delayed letter which decency required us to write to Sir Peter and Lady Coleville, and also take counsel in other matters touching the future, which seemed as obscure as ever.
Since that first visit from Colonel Hamilton I had received orders from headquarters to be ready to leave for the north at an hour's notice, and that suitable quarters would be ready at West Point for my wife.
There were a dozen officers lodged at the tavern, but my acquaintance with them advanced nothing beyond a civil greeting, for I cared not to join them in the coffee-room, where sooner or later some question concerning Elsin must annoy me. It was sufficient that they knew my name and nothing more either of my business or myself or Elsin. No doubt some quiet intimation from headquarters had spared us visits from quartermasters and provost marshals, for n.o.body interfered with us, and, when at the week's end I called for our reckoning--my habits of method ever uppermost in my mind--the landlord refused to listen, saying that our expenses were paid as long as we remained at the Blue Fox, and that if we lacked for anything I was to write to Colonel Hamilton.
This I had done, being sadly in need of fresh linen, and none to be had in the shops opposite. Also I enclosed a list of apparel urgently desired by Elsin, she having writ the copy, which was as long as I am tall; but I sent it, nevertheless, and we expected to hear from Colonel Hamilton before evening. For all we had was the clothing we wore on our backs, and though for myself I asked nothing but linen, I should have been glad of a change of outer garments, too.
We dined together at our little table by the window, decorously discussing d.a.m.nation, predestination, and other matters fitting that sunny Sabbath noontide. And at moments, very, very far away, I heard the faint sound of church-bells, perhaps near North Castle, perhaps at Dobbs Ferry, so sweet, so peaceful, that it was hard to believe in eternal punishment and in a G.o.d of wrath; hard, too, to realize that war ruled half a continent, and that the very dogs of war, unchained, prowled all around us, fangs bared, watching the sad city at the river's ends.
When the servants had removed the cloth, and had fetched the materials for writing which I had ordered, we drew our chairs up side by side, and leaned upon the table to confer in regard to a situation which could not, of course, continue much longer.
”The first thing to consider,” said I, ”is the flag to take you north.”
And I looked curiously at Elsin.
”How can we decide that yet?” she asked, aggrieved. ”I shall not require a flag if we--fall in love.”
”We've had a week to try,” I argued, smiling.
”Yes, but we have not tried; we have been too happy to try. Still, Carus, we promised one another to attempt it.”
”Well, shall we attempt it at once?”
”Goodness, I'm too lazy, too contented, too happy, to worry over such sad matters as love!”
”Well, then, I had better write to Hamilton asking a flag----”
”I tell you not to hasten!” she retorted pettishly. ”Moonlight changes one's ideas. My noonday sentiments never correspond to my evening state of mind.”
”But,” I persisted, ”if we only cherish certain sentiments when the moon s.h.i.+nes----”
”Starlight, too, silly! Besides, whenever I take time to think of your late peril, I straightway experience a tender sentiment for you. I tell you be not too hasty to ask a flag for me. Come, let us now consider and be wise. Once in Canada all is ended, for Sir Frederick Haldimand would sooner see me fall from Cape Eternity to the Saguenay than hear of me in love with you. Therefore I say, let us remember, consider, and await wisdom.”
”But,” I argued, ”something must be settled before fresh orders from headquarters send me north and you to West Point.”
”Oh, I shall go north, too,” she observed calmly.
”Into battle, for example?” I asked, amused.
”I shall certainly not let you go into battle all alone! You are a mere child when it comes to taking precaution in danger.”
”You mean you would actually gallop into battle to see I came to no mischief?” I demanded, laughing.
”Aye, clip my hair and dress the trooper, jack-boots and all, if you drive me to it!” she exclaimed, irritated. ”You may as well know it, Carus; you shall not go floundering about alone, and that's flat! See what a mess of it you were like to make in New York!”
”Then,” said I, still laughing, yet touched to the heart, ”I shall instruct you in the duties and amenities of wedded life, and we may as well marry and be done with it. Once married, I, of course, shall do as I please in the matter of battles----”
”No, you shall not! You shall consider me! Do you think to go roaming about, nose in the air, and leaving me to sit quaking at home, crying my eyes out over your foolishness? Do I not already know the terror of it with you in New York there, and only ten minutes to save your neck from Cunningham? Thank you, I am already instructed in the amenities of wedded life--if they be like the pleasures of betrothal--though I cared not a whit what happened to Walter Butler, it is true, yet fell sick o'
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